Pixel 7 rattling noise: what is it?

We see emails on this subject from time to time and want something mentioned in the future, so let’s talk about that chatter in your phone’s camera, similar to what you might hear on a Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro. Yes, your phone does make a rattling sound, but no, you shouldn’t worry about random debris floating inside it causing it. You also don’t need to contact whoever made your phone for a refund, as this is completely normal.

If you shake any high-end phone with even a little force, you’ll probably hear a rattling sound the minute you take it out of the box. That sound is Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) in action, which struggles to stabilize your phone’s camera sensor during your violent activities. You can stop shaking it now.

OIS has components in the phone that try to adjust the angle of the camera sensor when motion is detected. It is an attempt to counteract your unstable hand or body in order to give you good results, no matter the situation. Adjusting for handshake or panning for the next shot, your phone uses optical image stabilization (OIS). To stabilize your camera lens, there are really moving parts that you can hear moving when your phone is shaking.

As I was writing this note for those who are anxious, I grabbed Galaxy S23+, iphone 14 pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 ProAnd One Plus 11. I gave them all a little shake and they all gave me rattling feedback on some level.

The thinnest knock came from the iPhone 14 Pro, while the Pixel 7 Pro was the loudest and easiest to make. Seriously, the slightest wiggle causes the Pixel 7 Pro to rattle, and I’m assuming it’s because of the telephoto lens.

If you are shocked Galaxy S21 Ultra or iphone 13 pro or Pixel 6 Pro or Galaxy Z Flip 4, you would hear a rattle. I even shook my old one Pixel 2XLand since he has OIS, he gave me the rattle back.

So, you have a rattling sound coming from your expensive phone, this is normal. I mean, if the volume button doesn’t rattle before it drops off your Pixel 7 Pro, you might have something to worry about. But for the rest, it’s the OIS in your camera.